Get Your Spirit in Shape - United Methodist Podcast

What does it mean to be a connected church?

In this episode, Joe talks with Jennifer Rodia about connectionalism and what it looks like to live it out in real life. Drawing on experiences from churches in New York to communities across Africa and beyond, they explore how connection shapes faith, community, and our understanding of God.

In this episode:

At its core, this conversation is an invitation: to connect more deeply, listen more openly, and discover how God is at work beyond our own experience.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

Get Your Spirit in Shape is back for a new season.

Join Crystal and Joe as they talk about what’s ahead and share about the Vision Statement of The United Methodist Church—how it helps us love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in everyday life.

Learn more: UMC.org/Vision
Resources for your church: ResourceUMC.org/Vision

More about this episode here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

In the second of a two-part episode, we take a look inside the rarely seen world of death row ministry as Rev. Hillary Taylor shares how she became a spiritual advisor and friend to Brad Sigmon, who was executed in South Carolina in March 2025. Join us for a powerful conversation as we reflect on grief, hope and the belief that people are more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Listen to part 1 of this podcast at https://www.umc.org/en/content/more-than-the-worst-thing-weve-done-with-hillary-taylor-gysis-ep-203.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

In the first of a two-part episode, we take a look inside the rarely seen world of death row ministry as Rev. Hillary Taylor shares how she became a spiritual advisor and friend to Brad Sigmon, who was executed in South Carolina in March 2025. Join us for a powerful conversation as we reflect on grief, hope and the belief that people are more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

‘Tis the season for all things merry and bright. Except when you’re feeling sad, lonely and perhaps grieving.

Retired United Methodist pastor and current spiritual director Cindy Serio discusses why Christmas can be a challenging season for some folks and shares a guided meditation that acknowledges that you might feel blue at this time of the year while offering encouragement for finding hope, even on the longest night.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

From playing at Willie Nelson’s Picnic to viral videos, Jaron Bell shares how  his love for music and comedy turned into a calling the country-singer-turned-pastor never expected.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

It’s our 200th episode! Thank you for joining us as the Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Dr. Ashley Boggan and Rev. Matt Rawle take a look at the profound change The United Methodist Church has experienced during the past four years and share honest reflections on what these shifts mean for how United Methodists live into transformation with love, joy and courage.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

The Bible has often been misused to wound and exclude, with distorted interpretations justifying harm. Drawing on his own experiences of being rejected by faith communities, Pastor Zach Lambert wrote “Better ways to read the Bible: Transforming a weapon of harm into a tool of healing” to share how to reframe Scripture as a source of restoration and hope and how to read the Bible through a lens of healing, inclusion, and love.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

Preserving the stories of Black Methodists isn’t just history work for Carol Travis, it’s a calling. Discover how this cradle Methodist and leader with the African American Methodist Heritage Center ensures generations of vital stories are never forgotten.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

The first bishop ordained in a central conference and later elected to serve in the United States, Bishop Carlo Rapanut shares how growing up in a United Methodist church in his hometown of Baguio City, Philippines, shaped his leadership and call to ministry. A dedicated runner and ultra-marathoner, he reflects on discerning his call within a covenant community and the vital role of connection in guiding the church forward on this special “Meet a Bishop” episode of “Get Your Spirit in Shape.”

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.